Anyone want to start a rated SMAC game?

[Misotu]

Hi guys. Sorry for the delay - Qantaga was right about the issues holding us up. I've now established that SMAC does not permit you to change the player order (there is a workaround, but it is messy and causes problems with the factions' graphics). SMAX does allow you to change player order - I hadn't realised SMAC didn't offer the same ability

It shouldn't be too big a deal, but it would have been worth spending a little time to get an optimised turn order.

I've still received no email from cpt.slick, but this doesn't stop me going ahead now and setting up the game. I'm going to work on it this evening, and I hope to send out the first turn tomorrow.

The map is built and I've completed one test. I'm a little unhappy with one faction's position, so I need to find a way to improve their lot After that ... we should be away!

We have a substitute, SITS, ready to go if there are any problems. Anyway, finding subs really isn't a problem on the board, there are usually several volunteers for most vacancies.

Thank you for bearing with me. It's not a quick exercise setting up a game with so many players, but I've done most of the work so we're just talking finishing touches

[Qantaga]

dinoarms - as theo said, I have indeed read Vel's Guide. It is quite an amazing resource for this game. Of course, there is a big difference between my reading it and my actually being able to apply his concepts in a real game.

Misotu - I can only imagine what a job it must be trying to set up a balanced 7-player game. I have been in the Scenario Editor a few times myself and I must admit that I was quite lost. Thanks again and don't feel like you need to rush yourself to get the game going. Take your time.

[Qantaga]

A couple of other issues just occured to me. I don't think we have talked about them yet, so please excuse me if they have been discussed. I did skim through the thread, but couldn't find them.


1) What about contact with other factions? I personally would prefer to restrict contact until you actually meet another faction on the map (or can bargain for a commlink that another player came about by map contact), but I will, of course, go along with the majority.


2) Do we have a set of rules for this game? The following are copied from Tau Ceti's tournament rules and would provide a good framework for us to follow unless someone wants to discuss a change to any of these:


- Multiple reloading of the game to try for different effects is forbidden.

- Multiple drops or orbital insertions using the right-click menu is forbidden.

- Inserting Stockpile Energy into the build queue after a military unit is forbidden.

- If a player employs a tactic that causes a state of vendetta, they are not allowed to "accept" a pending diplomatic agreement with that faction, causing a change in diplomatic status or the transfer of energy or knowledge.

- If a probe team action is employed against a Treatied or Pacted faction, the initiator must choose the "Declare Vendetta" option, unless permission is received in advance for the action (email).

- Social engineering choice limited to one switch per line per turn. (no flip-flop within turn!)

- Psi units cannot be assigned multiple point patrol routes (avoid instant demon boil bug!)

(I suppose I could have just provided the link to Tau Ceti's rules, but I didn't think about that until just now. Sorry)

[Misotu]

It has begun! See here for the turn-tracker thread.

[Qantaga]

For anyone who might still be following this thread, I have made a suggestion to let SITS take over for cpt.slick if we haven't heard from cpt.slick by tomorrow.

Come on over to the turn tracking thread if you would like to discuss it. The turn tracking thread is located through Misotu's link in the post right above this one.

[Levelisk]

Good idea. Give it to SITS if cpt.slick doesn't pass the turn by tomorrow